<p class="bodytext">He removed the foreign gods and images from the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple and all the altars he had built on the hill of the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple and in Jerusalem; he threw them outside the city.

Shaphan brought the scroll to the king and reported,<n id="1" /> &#8220;Your servants are doing everything assigned to them.

&#8216;You displayed a sensitive spirit<n id="1" /> and humbled yourself before God when you heard his words concerning this place and its residents. You humbled yourself before me, tore your clothes and wept before me, and I have heard you,&#8217; says the <sc>Lordsc>.

Now give me wisdom and discernment so<n id="1" /> I can effectively lead this nation.<n id="2" /> Otherwise<n id="3" /> no one is able<n id="4" /> to make judicial decisions for<n id="5" /> this great nation of yours.&#8221;<n id="6" />p>

<p class="bodytext">King Huram<n id="1" /> of Tyre sent this letter to Solomon: &#8220;Because the <sc>Lordsc> loves his people, he has made you their king.&#8221;

He designated<n id="1" /> 70,000 as common laborers,<n id="2" /> 80,000 as stonecutters<n id="3" /> in the hills, and 3,600 as supervisors to make sure the people completed the work.<n id="4" />p>

<p class="bodytext">Solomon laid the foundation for God&#8217;s temple;<n id="1" /> its length (determined according to the old standard of measure) was 90 feet, and its width 30 feet.<n id="2" />

He paneled<n id="1" /> the main hall<n id="2" /> with boards made from evergreen trees<n id="3" /> and plated it with fine gold, decorated with palm trees and chains.<n id="4" />

He set up the pillars in front of the temple, one on the right side and the other on the left.<n id="1" /> He named the one on the right Jachin,<n id="2" /> and the one on the left Boaz.<n id="3" />p>

<p class="bodytext">The priests brought the ark of the covenant of the <sc>Lordsc> to its assigned<n id="1" /> place in the inner sanctuary of the temple, in the most holy place under the wings of the cherubs.

The priests could not carry out their duties<n id="1" /> because of the cloud; the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s splendor filled God&#8217;s temple.p>

He said, &#8220;The <sc>Lordsc> God of Israel is worthy of praise because he has fulfilled<n id="1" /> what he promised<n id="2" /> my father David.

and set up in it a place for the ark containing the covenant the <sc>Lordsc> made with the Israelites.&#8221;p>

listen from heaven and make a just decision about your servants&#8217; claims. Condemn the guilty party, declare the other innocent, and give both of them what they deserve.<n id="1" />p>

<p class="bodytext">&#8220;If your people Israel are defeated by an enemy<n id="1" /> because they sinned against you, then if they come back to you, renew their allegiance to you,<n id="2" /> and pray for your help<n id="3" /> before you in this temple,

<t /><p class="bodytext">When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven<n id="1" /> and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s splendor filled the temple.

The priests were unable to enter the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple because the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s splendor filled the <sc>Lordsc>&#8217;s temple.

the <sc>Lordsc> appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: &#8220;I have answered<n id="1" /> your prayer and chosen this place to be my temple where sacrifices are to be made.<n id="2" />

Now I have chosen and consecrated this temple by making it my permanent home;<n id="1" /> I will be constantly present there.<n id="2" />

Then I will establish your dynasty,<n id="1" /> just as I promised your father David, &#8216;You will not fail to have a successor ruling over Israel.&#8217;<n id="2" />p>